[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981":3,"chapter-that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-chapter-165":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","That Year, the Flowers Bloomed in 1981",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2294583,4489,"Chapter 165: Brotherly Bond—May It Last Forever","that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-chapter-165",165,"\u003Cp>Jin Peng bought a sihe academy near Beijing’s Liupukang as staff accommodation, assigning several employees with housing difficulties to live there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, a small blackboard was erected in the courtyard, bearing the words “Case Analysis Lecture on Sales Promotion Order Chaos, 11.16.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As a manager, you must thoroughly understand business processes and resolve all potential safety hazards before they occur.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Everyone knows what happened last week—customers, after enduring prolonged crowding and waiting, were on the verge of exploding with resentment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But the management of both malls failed to recognize the imminent danger and instead resorted to their usual suppression tactics.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our Pengcheng Seventh Factory has always prepared extensively before every promotion, allowing us to reach today’s success—but now we must set higher standards for ourselves.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The “instructor” standing before the blackboard was unmistakably Ma Qianshan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Qianshan wore a crisp suit today, his shoes and hair gleaming, his elegant teaching rod gesturing sharply, exuding the aura of a successful-life lecturer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The audience for the case analysis session numbered seven or eight, mostly young employees under Pengcheng Seventh Factory, such as Fang Hongmei, now a core staff member at the Xiushuijie store.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only older person was Fang Dajie, the leader of the short-term workers, Fang Zhifang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But whether young or old, all held pens and notebooks, listening intently and taking meticulous notes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What happened last week was utterly unexpected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since launching promotions, Pengcheng Seventh Factory had always proceeded smoothly; no one imagined danger lurked beneath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hearing just a summary, they were all startled and shaken—so now, with Ma Qianshan willing to “share experience,” everyone eagerly accepted and learned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We won’t discuss Dongcheng’s situation—let’s analyze Xicheng Department Store.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Qianshan carefully checked his notes, then wrote three large characters on the board: “Convenience for Customers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned and said: “Most customers at Xicheng Department Store stay over two hours; lingering two hours in a crowded environment will make even the calmest person irritable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“During our promotions, customers now stay an average of forty minutes—but do you know what it used to be?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Qianshan said seriously: “Seventy minutes. Customers needed seventy minutes to select their desired product combinations and proceed to the cash register.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Reducing it from seventy minutes to forty minutes—was this the result of multiple outstanding employees brainstorming and working together?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Qianshan pointed down at Fang Hongmei: “Fang Hongmei analyzed all customer purchase data, identified the most common product pairings, [22] then collaborated with Sales Team Leader Qi Ruyun to repeatedly adjust product placements, achieving today’s results. [23] We’ve made things convenient for customers—now they can easily buy all needed items at nearby counters in one go. Will they still linger in the crowd?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, in coordination with Sales Team Leader Qi Ruyun, we repeatedly adjusted the placement of goods until we achieved the current effect,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We have made things convenient for customers, allowing them to purchase all the items they need in one go at nearby counters—so would they still linger in a crowded environment?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Therefore, Fang Hongmei and Qi Ruyun deserve immense credit—the company has decided to award each of them a 100-yuan innovation bonus.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Hongmei, feeling the stares of her colleagues, nervously said: “I—I didn’t come up with any innovation; I just did my job.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cough, cough, Fang Hongmei, don’t be modest—our innovation bonus is meant to encourage effective new methods.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If your method works, you deserve the reward—so don’t refuse.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Hongmei felt embarrassed, because that so-called “innovation” was originally a plan Ma Qianshan gave her, instructing her to follow step by step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for work, she admitted she did contribute a little—but true innovation? That was never hers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aren’t you going to thank the company for their kindness?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Dajie, Fang Hongmei’s aunt, pushed her gently, urging her to accept the 100-yuan bonus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Dajie had spent her whole career in the workplace—she could see clearly this was Ma Qianshan setting up a model, using Fang Hongmei as an example to motivate other young employees who joined Pengcheng Seventh Factory at the same time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was an opportunity—a chance for rapid promotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In her old workplace, such opportunities were impossible to grasp without some soft or hard power—but here at Pengcheng Seventh Factory, if you worked hard, you’d surely reap rewards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though this sales team at Pengcheng Seventh Factory was still green, the atmosphere within thrilled Fang Dajie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Being around these young people every day felt like returning to thirty years ago, when she too had chased ideals, willing to give everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after repeated setbacks, Fang Dajie had quietly abandoned her dreams, sinking into ordinariness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, it seemed she saw that glimmer of hope again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Dajie subtly turned her head toward the side room of the sihe academy, and through its glass window, she seemed to glimpse the source of that light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three people were in the side room of the sihe academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One was Wang Qiang, who, like the students outside, was taking notes on Ma Qianshan’s lecture points.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another was Li Ye, also writing furiously—but he was writing in spare moments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lecture materials Ma Qianshan held were written by Li Ye himself, so why would he need to listen to Ma Qianshan’s rambling?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The most interesting person was Jin Peng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jin Peng ate peanuts and drank beer while watching Ma Qianshan lecture outside, occasionally chuckling or shaking his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye looked up and said: “Peng Ge, look how eager Qiangzi is to learn. If you don’t want to learn, fine—but why mock him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, no, no—I’m not mocking him,” Jin Peng laughed. “I’ve just discovered my own talent, so I’m laughing with delight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Talent? Delight?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye grew curious, pulled his chair closer to Jin Peng, and asked: “Peng Ge, tell me—what’s this delightful talent of yours?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jin Peng pointed out the window and asked: “Do you remember what Ma Qianshan was like a year ago?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye shook his head: “I don’t remember. I only got to know him half a year ago, when he came south with us to Yangcheng.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jin Peng chuckled: “Half a year ago, Ma Qianshan was wandering aimlessly around Qingshui County—picking up bottles to trade for liquor, doing odd jobs for food, fighting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But look at him now—he’s giving lectures, standing straight, speaking clearly. If I didn’t know his background, I’d swear he was a university professor!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye watched Jin Peng silently, waiting for more. Jin Peng wasn’t the type to boast without reason—he said “delight” for a purpose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure enough, Jin Peng grinned: “I brought Ma Qianshan from Qinghe to Yangcheng, then to Beijing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My talent? I saw his potential among a crowd, nurtured him into a top general.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I can find more generals like Ma Qianshan, manage them well—won’t I be the marshal of the stories?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye was startled—Jin Peng’s words were crude but sharp. A great corporate leader, beyond professional skill, must know how to select and use people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his past life, when he first entered the workplace, Li Ye had often wondered: why did the company boss pick such a terrible guy as middle management, letting him abuse power over everyone?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later, Li Ye realized: the boss didn’t want to avoid a perfect middle manager—he just couldn’t find one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today you pick someone unsuitable—would you replace him tomorrow? What would happen to the boss’s authority?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Functional” and “effective” differ by only one character—but their gap is vast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A boss who selects and uses people well is truly formidable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jin Peng was skilled at managing people, so his ability to appoint and utilize talent was decent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he also possessed extraordinary talent in selecting people, Li Ye would have far less to worry about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Peng Ge, you’re right—if you can select and manage people well, you’re unquestionably a marshal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hehe, Xiao Ye, you say that, and I feel a bit shy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jin Peng scratched his head and grinned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye saw his expression—there was no shyness at all, only full-blown pride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Wang Qiang looked up and said: “Peng Ge, you’re just a general. Xiao Ye Ge is the marshal—he picked you and me out of Qingshui County. We used to pick up bottles, do odd jobs, too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jin Peng stared, then after several seconds, began slapping Wang Qiang’s head repeatedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You think you’re so smart? Don’t you know there’s a king above the marshal?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Qiang dodged, threatening: “Peng Ge, don’t go too far! Xiao Ye Ge is here—I’m giving you face!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh? You’re giving me face? Come on, we haven’t sparred in ages—I’ve made some new friends in Beijing, learned a bit of Beijing wrestling.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You think you’re the only one with Beijing friends? I know Beijing wrestling too!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Jin Peng and Wang Qiang leap and wrestle playfully inside the room, Li Ye couldn’t help but smile warmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their wrestling skills were both learned from Huang Gang, but Wang Qiang, perhaps more diligent or truly gifted, was clearly a bit sharper than Jin Peng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Wang Qiang always held back, letting Jin Peng, who never yielded, take the upper hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their temperaments were utterly different, yet they became best friends—this bond should last forever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye returned to his dormitory; Sun Xianjin told him his homeroom teacher, Mu Yunning, had come looking for him and asked him to visit her at the library.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye checked the time; he guessed Mu Yunning hadn’t left yet, so he rode his bicycle over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the library, Mu Yunning was indeed reading in the most visible spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Teacher Mu, you wanted to see me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye sat down opposite her, greeting her calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mu Yunning made a “hush” gesture, finished reading her book, then looked at Li Ye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye stayed silent, watching her. After several seconds of eye contact, Mu Yunning suddenly stood up, gathered her bag, and said: “Let’s take a walk—I have something to ask you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mu Yunning led Li Ye to Weiminghu, walking silently around the lake. They occasionally passed couples whispering sweet nothings, making Li Ye awkward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Li Ye and Wen Leyu regularly strolled here; several familiar pairs recognized them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, seeing Li Ye suddenly with a different woman, they all whispered and pointed, extremely impolite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, Li Ye couldn’t help asking: “Teacher Mu, what do you want to ask me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mu Yunning glanced at Li Ye and said casually: “Li Ye, have you read ‘The Lonely Garrison of the Homeland’?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye nodded: “Yes. I know Li Huai and Yang Yu—they published ‘The Lonely Garrison of the Homeland’ in ‘Xinfeng’ Monthly; I read nearly every issue.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mu Yunning asked: “Do you know Li Huai and his group used the publication of ‘The Lonely Garrison of the Homeland’ to launch a series of cultural-historical events, gaining support from many professors?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye nodded: “I know. They always invited me, but I always had something else to do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mu Yunning stopped walking, smiled faintly, and asked: “Do you know that attending these events would greatly benefit your future?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye scratched his head and laughed: “I’m just a freshman—how could I understand future development?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mu Yunning stepped forward, closing the distance to Li Ye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, you don’t not understand—you just don’t care.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mu Yunning smiled and said: “Because you know no matter how Li Huai and the others stir things up, they’ll always end up circling back to one name—Seven-Inch Blade.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye smiled but said nothing; the next moment, Mu Yunning pulled out a copy of New Wind monthly, flipping to a specific chapter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, Mu Yunning took out a fountain pen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Should I ask you to sign my copy? Great writer Seven-Inch Blade!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye remained silent, uneasy; he watched Mu Yunning’s elusive, flickering gaze and wondered if signing it for her might somehow land him an unexpected reprimand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thank you to the reader “Night Notes” for the reward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1981,"2026-06-20T05:04:59.129Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","db9bf083e8fb5ef3fdadcd7eda14145d03564a4ac7c5f4710d58fb7578d18105","that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-chapter-166","that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-chapter-164",884,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthat-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-cover.jpg"]